White River Junction — A former worker at an assisted living facility in the Upper Valley who sexually assaulted a resident with dementia will spend at least the next 15 months in prison.

Michael Paton Jr., of Thetford, pleaded guilty to a felony count of sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult who was incapable of consenting during a hearing in May, and was formally sentenced on Monday in Windsor Superior Court.

The 23-year-old received a suspended 10- to 20-year sentence, with a stipulation that he remain in prison until he completes sex offender programming. Paton told police and staff at Valley Terrace in Wilder in April 2017 that he had sex with an 83-year-old resident, according to court documents.

The sex offender programming will begin in January and will last about 12 months, Deputy Windsor County State’s Attorney Heidi Remick said on Monday.

Paton remains incarcerated at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., where he has been since his arrest in April 2017.

Paton will remain on probation “until further order of the court,” Remick said.

He must register as a sex offender for life.

Paton expressed remorse for his actions, according to statements made in court on Monday. However, Paton himself did not address the court.

“ ... There’s some acknowledgment in the sentencing process that he has taken responsibility and has not made any efforts to drag this out,” Remick said to Judge Timothy Tomasi, who accepted the plea agreement.

Factors that went into the judge’s decision were that Paton has “promptly” taken responsibility, has no past criminal history and has a low potential for reoffending, Tomasi said.

“It had a big impact on the family in this particular case,” the judge said. “It is certainly the court’s hope that you will address the issues that led to this behavior. ... It is never too late to turn the page and do something positive for your community.”

As part of the plea agreement, a second felony count against Paton was dismissed.

At Valley Terrace in Wilder, Paton performed duties that included taking care of residents, bathing them and helping them with dinner and daily activities, state police previously said.

He is no longer employed at the facility.

Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.

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